The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-04
GERMAN CATHOLICS.
The Causes That have Resulted in Calling
the Proposed Convention at Chicago.

New York, Aug. "a reporter visited several
German Catholic clergymen of this city, last
evening, for the purpose Of obtaining their views
regarding the proposed German American con-
vention at Chicago next month Nearly all pro-
fessed entire ignorance on the subject matter of
the Chicago dispatch, but admitted that they
had heard from time to time reports of disatis-
faction among the priests and people of the Ger
AnaD nationality residing in the West, relative to
2~se appointments of Irish bishops to sees where
the majority of the faithful were Germans. One
prominent Roman Catholic, rector of German
parish, who averse TO the publication of his
name, ''for obvious reasons" he remarked,
said From my own personal observations
and knowledge, obtained by several journeys
through the Western States, can easily under
stand how it is that my feow-countrymen
there should think it expsdient to call this con-
vention.> We have but a very small minority in
the hierarchy of America. wholly out of propor-
ton to the number of German Catholics. Take
the great State of Ohio. for instance. with its
vast number of Germans attending the Catholic
churches. and say whether you think it just that
Irish and Scotch bishops alone should rule over
them. By all means, German should have
been appointed archbishop of Cincinnati, in
stead of Archbishop Elder, whose sympathies
are with his Irish people altogether. Then.
Chicago St. Louis. Dubuque, Indianap polls.
Peoria, Pittsburg, and other dioceses that
might mention. ought, by right, to have German
ordinares Remember thnt our German priests
not actuated by any personal or selfish
feeling in this matter. Rather. it is with them
serious matter of conscience. We have
found that where Irish priests have been
appointed to German or partly German. par
ishes, they have systematically ignored our
German people. and as a consequence the latter
have become disgusted and eventually stopped
all Tha hao haa hat
their children have fallen away from the church,
mixed marriages have become lamentably fire.
quent. and gradually our German people have
been drifting toward infdelity, or what regard
as bad, Professionalism. THE Germans also be-
lieve in parochial schools. where one of the
studies must be that of German. They want
their children taught the language of their an
cestors, and the German priests agree with them
that it is most important subject, for we know
by experience that where our German children
attend the public schools and stuoy Engiisn
only, they soon become ashamed of their ma
tionality and want to become even more Ameri-
than Americans themselves"
''But, father" said the reporter, "are these
grievances confined to the West, and have you
in the Eastern States nothing to complain OFF,
WELL" replied the priest Il do do not want
to speak of things here as | do not care to
have the Irish episcopate, which, almost with
out exception. holds sway over the Eastern
dioceses, think that We are disaffected; for In
that event they would simply unite to crush us.
Rut l am free to say that the Germans have
no proper recognition in any diocese. i. Look at
New York. The archbishop and his two Wears
general English speaking persons two of
them Irish. In Philadelphia the archbishop
and his two Wears are Irshmen. coming from
the same diocese of the old country, Waterford
The archie piscopal sees of Baltimore and Boston
similarly fixed with Irish functionaries, and
the German speaking priests and people are
wholly ignored / tell you these things must
be remedied or you may count the next genera
ton of Germans out of the Catholic church. |
hail with delight the determination of this
Chicago convention, aud l augur the best re-
suits from it.